Series
Eitan Explores: Mexico City
Globe-trotting chef Eitan Bernath explores the traditional culinary delights from the Jewish kitchens of Mexico City.
2024 | 7 episodes | TV-14 | Documentary
Season 1
S1 : E1 2 min
A Mexican Shabbat Market
Eitan meets Estrella Jafif, a local Mexico City chef with roots in Lebanon and Cuba. Estrella takes Eitan to her favorite local market where she shops on Fridays for Shabbat. They pick up fresh ingredients and try local fruits and Oaxacan cheeses before heading back to her studio kitchen.
S1 : E2 2 min
Pre-Shabbat Sobremesa
Eitan and Chef Estrella Jafif cook a traditional Shabbat stew which they take right across the street to her mom’s apartment where a dozen family members are gathered for a long, late pre-Shabbat “Sobremesa.” As the sun begins to set, Eitan joins Estrella, her mother, and the women of the family as they light candles and welcome in the Sabbath.
S1 : E3 2 min
La Muertita
Eitan eats a medley of vegetarian Mexican street foods at a tented taco stand run by a non-Jewish proprietor that has been serving the local Jewish community since the 1960s. Over quesadillas, he gets the origin story from owner Elsa about how locals requested meat-free options from Elsa’s mom (the founder) in order to eat there, and it’s since evolved into a neighborhood institution.
S1 : E4 2 min
Justo Sierra
Eitan explores Justo Sierra, one of Mexico City’s oldest synagogues, with Director Monica Unikel, a historian of Mexican Jewry. Monica provides insights into the food history of the Jewish Mexican community, showing Eitan the Syrian and Lebanese cooking utensils that immigrants would use to prepare the ground beef dish known as kibbe.
S1 : E5 2 min
Cooking with Pati
Before his trip, Eitan meets Mexico City native, Chef Pati Jinich, at her home kitchen in Chevy Chase, Maryland where they make Gefilte Fish a la Veracruzana, a traditional family dish representative of Pati’s family history – one that blends her Eastern European ancestral roots with her native Mexican ones. Pati encourages Eitan to head to CDMX to fully unpack the Jewish-Mexican fusion food story there. After cooking, Pati and Eitan Facetime Pati’s sister, Karen who owns a restaurant in Mexico City called Niddo.
S1 : E6 2 min
Breakfast at Niddo
Eitan grabs breakfast at Niddo where he meets Pati’s sister Karen. She takes Eitan to the kitchen where he sees a symphony of dishes being prepared. He enjoys his solo breakfast of chilaquiles, shakshuka, and the house toast.
S1 : E7 2 min
Xochimilco
Eitan visits Xochimilco, an expansive ecological area with lakes and canals spanning over 6,000 acres. He meets his guide Ricardo to explore one of Xochimilco’s remaining farming areas located on chinampas, ancient Aztec floating farm systems. Eitan learns about Ricardo’s program promoting organic farming and the revival of this ancient agricultural practice. Later they meet Pas, one of his associates at the farm, to cook a traditional steamed fish dish.
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About The Series
Eitan Explores: Mexico City
Hosted by chef and author Eitan Bernath, Eitan Explores: Mexico City is a love letter to the diversity of Jewish life and culture found in Mexico City, as seen through the vibrant kitchens in restaurants and homes across its sprawling city.
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From preparing a traditional Shabbat “Sobremesa” to visiting quintessential taco stands, reimagined delicatessens, and famed synagogues intertwined in the fabric of CDMX’s diverse Jewish community, the seven episodes tell the story of a melting pot of culture and people deeply connected to the spirit of their country as well as their ancestral roots.
Produced by Eitan Productions and distributed in partnership with Tastemade, the seven-part series will premiere on May 13, 2023 on social platforms. Eitan Explores: Mexico City is executive produced by Jacqueline Lobel, Rachel Kastner and Daniella Greenbaum Davis. Petr Cikhart serves as the DoP.
Creative Team
Jacqueline Lobel
Director/Executive Producer
Raised in New York City with a natural curiosity for the diverse world around her, Jacqueline’s documentary-driven work uses food, fashion, and travel as her primary vehicle to share everyday stories that uplift and inspire.
Rachel Kastner
Executive Producer
Rachel Kastner is a creative producer, problem-solver and storyteller from NYC, currently based in Tel Aviv. Her mission is to create experiences that help people build empathy, resilience and confidence.
Petr Cikhart
Director of Photography
Emmy-award winning DoP Petr Cikhart was born in the Czech Republic and is now based in Los Angeles. With work in over a hundred countries, his portfolio has received too many nominations and awards to mention.
Eitan Bernath
Host
Eitan Bernath is an award-winning chef, entertainer, author, TV personality, and activist. With 3 billion annual video views from over 350 million consumers in 150 countries, he has amassed a global audience of over 10 million fans across social media.
Credits
Host
Director
Executive Producer
Director of Photography
Asst. Camera
Post-Production Supervisor
Gaffer
Audio Mixer
Production Asst.
Culinary Producer
HMU
Guest
Starlight Creative
Eitan Productions
EITAN BERNATH
JACQUELINE LOBEL
RACHEL KASTNER
DANIELLA GREENBAUM DAVIS
JACQUELINE LOBEL
PETR CIKHART
MIGUEL ZAMORA
CAMERON CLENDANIEL
MIKE YODER
BRIAN GARFIELD
HEATHER BRUMLEY
DEBI SHAWCROSS
CLAUDINE MAZEAS
PATI JINICH
MATT ALBERT | Chief Operating Officer
NOAH SCHULTZ | Chief of Staff
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